Tag Archives: holidays

COVID Critter 7-6-21

06 Tuesday Jul 2021

Posted by in Animals, COVID Critters, Holidays, Llewellyn's Little Book of Dragons, Otters, Red Panda, Safety

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“Here’s the thing. My otter and marmot friends told me it’s a holiday. (Personally, I don’t know from calendars and think they just wanted an extra long long weekend, but hey, who can blame them, right?)… Not having anything pressing to do, I volunteered to drop by in their stead.

So, everyone, a few Panda words of wisdom: Stay safe. Get your shots, wear masks and keep distance if the science says. We’ve come a long way in a year and a half. Now’s not the time to go back. Oh, and have a happy holiday.”

Beyond and Between – Samhain and Dragons in the Mist

31 Saturday Oct 2020

Posted by in Celebration, Dark Times, Dragon Keepers, Dragons, Halloween, Llewellyn's Little Book of Dragons, Month of the Dragon, Samhain, WAFDE

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Month of the Dragon has come to a close. A hearty roar of appreciation to all who have participated. And a draconic welcome to all our new WAFDE members! Hope everyone had a spikey-wikey, rip-snorting time.

The harvest is in. Pumpkins – and turnips – are carved, costumes pressed, and cider spiked. All is in readiness for tonight.

Halloween. All Hallows Eve. Most Dragons prefer the ancient name, Samhain. This has always been a liminal time – a day when the misty barrier between the spiritual and the corporeal worlds thins and the inhabitants of each can come and go at will.

If you are up on your Dragon history you know this is a very special day for Dragons, especially among the Westie Weyrs. It is a solemn time of both remembrance and hope. A day to honor ancient sorrows and proffered sanctuary, ancestors lost and triumphant returns. 

shadowbeast if the frozen wastes- hibbary

shadowbeast if the frozen wastes- hibbary

I am speaking, of course, of events that date back to the Dark Times of Dragon persecution. When Dragon-slaying was not only the “sport” du jour but also the surest way for would-be heroes, saints, and princelings to claim their bona fides. The Weyrs of Europe were decimated and anti-Dragon sentiments even inched their way east along the Silk Road.

Some Dragons flew west to the New World (Trans-Atlantic Transmigration), and some stayed and fought. But most Westies chose the better part of valor, discreetly taking the Sidhe up on their offer to dwell in the Otherworld until humans regained their sanity. In short, they faded into the mists. And – Surprise! – after many centuries, things in the physical realm did improve. Yet, while some of our friends chose to return to this world, other more cautious Dragons, did not.

So it is that Samhain takes on a certain long-distance family-reunion quality, with flights between planes and all-nighter confabs. There is music and dancing and visiting old haunts. There is catching up with the grand-dragonlets and telling of tales of past lives and future dreams. Some Dragons even seek out the relatives of Dragon-friendly humans they once knew. 

It is a magical time for all concerned.But, come morning, the magic fades. The barrier between worlds returns and mist is again just mist until next year.giphy1

For now, we here at the Nest wish you all a very Happy Samhain. May your harvest be bountiful and the coming year warm with Dragon-fire and fast friends.